Life in the Scriptures has a new format that will spend a Year in the New Testament, in a book-by-book journey reading one chapter per day. This approach enables busy people to have daily Bible readings, and to increase their familiarity with the people, places, and teachings of the New Testament. It is a profitable and helpful Bible study method. May God bless it to you.

June 1, 2014

Daily Scripture Readings and Comments, June 2-7

The fifth chapter of Revelation is part of a larger section dealing with the
fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. It deals with the same issues found in the 24th
and 25th chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. In this chapter God arises in
answer to the prayers of persecuted Christians and begins to accomplish those
things "which must shortly come to pass" (Rev. 1:1). God sits on His
throne holding a scroll bound with 7 seals. No one is found worthy to open the
seals, and John begins to weep. Why? Because he longs to see God act on behalf
of the persecuted churches of Asia Minor. John
is imprisoned on Patmos during the beginning
of a long and terrible persecution of the Church. He has held Apostolic
oversight of the churches named in chapters 2 and 3, and he is concerned about
them. How are they faring? Are they holding fast to the faith, or are they
deserting Christ to save themselves? It was a difficult time for Christians,
and it was going to get much worse. All Christians living at the time John
wrote Revelation would be dead long before this period of tribulation ended.
The seals of the scroll represent God's judgment poured out on those
persecuting the Church.

But someone is worthy to open the seals. The Lion of the tribe of Jesse has
overcome the world by giving His life as a Lamb slain, and is worthy, by virtue
of His absolute righteousness, to open the scrolls and let the judgment begin.
He is worshiped as God, and there is no doubt that He is the Lord Jesus Christ.
He has overcome once by submission to death on the cross. Now He overcomes by
conquering and judging His enemies.

The readings from Revelation this week were chosen because they show the Lord
Jesus Christ risen, ascended into Heaven, and reigning as King of His Church.
In these chapters we see Christ ruling His people, and also defending them as
any good king would do. He is engaged in a deadly war with the forces of evil
which want to destroy His people. So we, the Church, are not merely spectators
in this battle, we are combatants following our King into the fray.

Revelation 11 is the conclusion of one battle in this war. Chapter 4 shows the
beginning of this battle, and the first 14 verses of chapter 11 reveal the
enemy. It is that city "which spiritually is called Sodom
and Egypt,
where also our Lord was crucified" (Rev. 11:8). "Spiritually"
means symbolically or figuratively. So the city is not literally Sodom and Egypt.
Obviously Sodom and Egypt
are not the same physical place, and Egypt is a nation, not a city. The
city is the one in which Christ was crucified, Jerusalem. The city is demolished in 11:13.
Like the name of the city, the earthquake is also symbolic It refers to an
invading army that is so powerful and destructive it is like an earthquake. It
symbolises a conquest so complete and devastating it is as if a powerful
earthquake has struck. This city has been in a great tribulation throughout
this section of Revelation. In chapter 11 it finally falls. The city is Jerusalem and the
earthquake is the Roman army. Chapters 4-11 tell of the Roman siege and
conquest of Jerusalem
in 70 A.D.

Today's reading shows those persecuted by the city rejoicing that their enemy
has been defeated. This is a bitter-sweet victory, for the holy city has been
destroyed, including the Temple
and countless people. The oppression of the Church by this city has been ended,
but at tremendous cost. But the true Israel,
not Israel
in name only, but in true faith, remains. It has become the Kingdom of our Lord
who is shown in His glory as the conquering hero. This is but the first of many
conquests as His army and Kingdom advances through history. Thanks be to God
many will be conquered by grace instead of judgment.

Revelation 19 is the conclusion of a section that began with chapter 13 and
shows the destruction and defeat of the great beast of Revelation. This is the
same beast found in Daniel 7:7-8, and it represents the Roman
Empire, which at the time John wrote the book of Revelation, was
beginning a 200 year persecution of the Church. The Roman Empire is also
signified in the double image of the beast and the harlot in Revelation 17,
where it is pictured as drunk with fornication (idolatry) and drunk with the
blood of saints and martyrs of Jesus (Rev. 17:2 & 6). Rome
is called "Babylon"
in Rev. 17:5, as it is also in 1 Peter 5:13.

The Empire is defeated by the beginning of chapter 18. "Babylon the great
is fallen, is fallen," calls the other angel coming down from heaven (Rev.
18:1-2), and her fall is lamented by many who shared her sin and reveled in her
evil (18:11-19). But those who suffered under her wickedness rejoice (18:20).
Chapter 19 portrays the rejoicing of the righteous over the Lord's conquest of Rome (19:1-6), and the
contrast between the great whore and the pure Bride of Christ (19:7-8). The
Bride's exaltation is so great and her deliverance from her enemies is so
wonderful, John is moved to fall at the feet of the person showing these things
to him (19:10). But the person forbids this, and John is shown heaven opened
and Christ, who is called Faithful and True, riding a white horse and followed
by His armies going forth into the earth. Here the Lord smites the nations with
the sword of His mouth, which is the Word of God (19:15). He rules the nations
with a rod of iron and treads them in the winepress of the fierceness and wrath
of Almighty God. The "nations" are not just political entities; they
are the masses of unbelievers who continue in rebellion against God and in
persecution of His Church. They shall fall as surely as Rome.

But, thanks be to God, some will be saved. The Word of God is a fearful Word of
Judgment to those who refuse Him, but a welcome Word of Grace to those who
receive Him in faith. Thus, we see in Revelation 19, the King of Kings and Lord
of Lords advancing through the earth, establishing His Kingdom and bringing all
things under His rule. Many will be defeated by His wrath, but many will be won
by His grace.

Revelation chapters 1-19 have shown the conquest of Jerusalem
and the fall of the Roman Empire. Though
history to us, these events were far in the future when John wrote the
Revelation. But chapters 20-22 leap into events that are future to us also.
Chapter 20 shows the Millennial Age, and also the fate of the wicked on
Judgment Day. They have followed Satan, the great deceiver, they have resisted
God, and they have persecuted His people since Cain killed Abel. Now their end
is come upon them and they follow the deceiver to his doom, and theirs. Chapter
21 shows the future happiness of the Church. Here we see God bring the days of
earth to an end and bring His people to their eternal bliss in a new heaven and
earth (21:1). "New" means a new and different kind of heaven and
earth, for the old is passed away. In verse 2 we see the new Jerusalem, the
holy city, the city of peace. She comes as a bride adorned for her husband.
This city is a symbol of the Church (Rev. 19:7-9), but it is also a symbol of
God. In it God and His people dwell together in perfect unity and joy. All the
suffering of earth, the persecutions, the disease, the sorrows and tears are
wiped away by God Himself. They passed away with the old earth. There is no
place for them in the new.

Thus God says, "It is done" (21:6). Not done in the sense of being
ended, God is telling us His great work is now fully accomplished. All enemies
have been put under His feet. The corruption and decay of the physical creation
has been ended. The Church has been gathered unto Him and lives in Him
literally, face to face. All of the promises and hopes of His people have been
fulfilled, and all of the plans and purpose of God have been brought into their
fullest possible state of being. The story, the work of redemption is
completed, but the state, the condition of redemption is a present reality
forever and forever. Everything the Bible tells us about exists in absolute
fullest perfection in Rev. 21:6. It is hard to put this into words, for we use
superlatives to describe things that are meaningless in comparison to what God
is doing in this verse, but it may not be too much to say "It is
done" are some of the most important words in all of Scripture.

Verses 7 and 8 take us back to the first century Christians to whom Revelation
was first addressed. But the words apply to all Christians of all times. Who
will dwell in the New Jerusalem? Who will see the fulfillment of everything he
has prayed for and longed for since the day he first knelt at the foot of the
cross and gave his heart to Christ? "He that overcometh." He shall
inherit these things. They are for those who overcome the world through faith.
They are for those who overcome their enemies by remaining faithful to Christ. They
are for those who live for Christ at all times and at all costs. They are not
for those who turn back. They are not for those who call themselves Christians
but live like the devil. They not for the unfaithful. They are for those who
are faithful to the end.

"It is done." These words in Revelation 21:6 are at the very heart of
the Biblical message. Everything that comes before them, from Genesis to this
very verse is about God working to bring His people and His creation to this
point of fulfillment and accomplishment. Everything that comes after them
expounds and elucidates them. David Clark called chapter 21 the "watershed
that divides time and eternity," and verse 6 the consummation and climax
of the long process of redemption. Writing of this passage, Jonathan Edwards
said, "God created the world to provide a spouse and a kingdom for His Son:
and the setting up of the kingdom of Christ, and the spiritual marriage of the
spouse to Him, is what the whole creation labours and travails in pain to bring
to pass."

In Ephesians 1:10 we learn the purpose of God in creation. Why did He create
the world and put up with sinners, and even come to earth and die to save them?
He did so for one purpose, "That in the dispensation of the fulness of
times He might gather into one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth; even in Him." In Revelation 21:6, "It is
done." God's purpose is accomplished fully and perfectly.

Verses 9-27 show the wondrous happiness of God's Church in that era of
"the fullness of times." It is the bride of Christ, the Church that
is described in these verses. She is the New Jerusalem, the great and holy city
descending out of heaven from God, "having the glory of God; and her light
was like unto a stone most precious" (21:10-11). References to jeweled
walls and streets of gold symbolise the glory and joy of the Church in Heaven.
Chief among her joys is the absolute presence of God. In the age of fulfillment
the Church literally dwells in Christ and He in her. There is no need for Temple or church
buildings, which are symbols of the presence of God. Our communion with Him
will be full and complete forever when, "It is done."

The 22nd chapter of Revelation shows the conclusion of God's work of
redemption. In this chapter, the world has ended, the enemies of God have been
defeated, and the Bride of Christ has been presented to Him in whom she dwells
in everlasting joy. The sorrows of earth are passed away to trouble her no
more. Sickness, death, and persecution, all aspects of the curse, are but as a
shadow that has passed and is no more. Fears, doubts, and questions, have
passed also. In that New Jerusalem we know even as we are known.

How this vision must have comforted the churches of Asia
Minor. How it must have strengthened them for the tribulation they
endured. But, as important as this picture of their future bliss must have
been, it was also important for them to know God was already at work, already
bringing this great redemption into being. "Behold, I come quickly"
(21:7) does not refer to the Second Coming, but to Christ coming to His people
to answer their prayers and to begin the work of their deliverance. They are not
told to wait until the end of time; they are told their Saviour is even now at
work to deliver them and accomplish His purpose for them. And this work, now
begun in them, which seems so small compared to worldly powers, will bring
them, and all of God's Church, to the glorious fulfillment shown in this
chapter.

This completes the great work of redemption. We have seen the end, the goal,
the complete fulfillment. We have seen the Church go from a small band of
persecuted outcasts to the very pinnacle of honour and joy. We have seen her
enemies judged and punished, but, more importantly, we have seen the great
victory of our God. His purpose was not defeated in Eden. Rebellion in the house of Israel
did not prevent His victory. The rejection and crucifixion of Christ Himself
did not defeat our God, for it was His own plan that Christ should die, and it
was by His obedience unto death that He overcame the world. The empires of the
world, great and mighty in their own eyes, appearing to the Church as powerful
and terrible in their relentless tribulation of the Church, cannot stand before
the power of God. He sweeps them away with ease. Jerusalem has fallen. Mighty Rome is crushed. God has
marched through history, extending His Kingdom and vanquishing His foes until
all enemies are put under His feet and He alone is known to be King of kings
and Lord of lords who reigns forever and ever. Not even the devil is able to
resist His power. God uses Satan as it pleases Him, and, when the time comes,
destroys him with ease. Thanks be to God, many of His enemies are conquered by
grace. They have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and they
will live in Him forever.

Even in this vision of the end, the Bible thrusts us back to our own time with
the invitation to come and drink the water of life (salvation) freely. This is
an encouragement to those already in Christ. It tells us to abide in Him, to
remain faithful to the very end, no matter what the cost. It tells us to seek
and love God with all our heart, to make disciples of all nations, and to
contend for the faith once delivered. Stand fast in the evil day. Never
retreat. Never bow to any "beast," for your cause is Christ's cause,
and "He shall reign forever and ever."

This is also an encouragement to those who are yet in rebellion and sin. The
Day of Judgment is coming. Christ's enemies will not enter into His Kingdom.
The joys of the New Jerusalem are not for them unless they repent.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

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A Prayer for Biblical Understanding

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given to us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

About Me

The Rt. Rev. R. Dennis Campbell is Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church Diocese of Virginia, and Rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Orthodox Church in Powhatan, Virginia. He is the author of two books, He Shall Reign, and Gotta Run, and holds degrees from Southwest Baptist University, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.